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Structure
Interesting Questions, Facts and Information
- There are a total of 75 general entries. We are selecting 30 for display.
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 Interesting Questions, Facts, and Information
 Dances with Wolves .
| The film opens during the time of the U.S. Civil War. Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, portrayed by Costner, lies on a hospital bed a bloody mess. Two men negotiate about performing what procedure on the hapless Dunbar? | 'Dances with Wolves', Part 1
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Removing a foot. Words like 'saw' and 'gangrene' are bandied about by the two 'doctors', who also announce they are out of ether. Fortunately, they decide to 'coffee up' before performing their grim task. This gives Dunbar a chance to replace his boot upon his bloodied foot and get himself out of reach of these two sawbones!
| Following the gruesome hospital scene, the credits roll. We then see a group of Union officers upon a hill observing the location of their military encampment. What is this location? | 'Dances with Wolves', Part 1
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St. David's Field. It is 1863, and the location is St. David's Field, Tennessee. The Union army, led by General Tide, is confronted by Confederate troops led by a certain Colonel Tucker. So far as I know, these places and people are all fictional.
| John Dunbar, fearing that his life is forfeit as a result of his injuries, decides to take a suicide ride on an officer's horse. What is the name of the horse that he bravely (or foolishly) rides across the enemy front line? | 'Dances with Wolves', Part 1
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Cisco. Dunbar makes not one but two passes across the Confederate line, allowing the soldiers a free shot, albeit a moving one. After the second pass, the Union generals take advantage of the distraction to mount a charge against their enemies. The battle turns into a rout and Dunbar is labeled a hero!
| After his involvement in the successful battle at his previous post, Dunbar is awarded the choice of any post he desires. He chooses to be sent to the western frontier, and awaits his orders at which frontier fort? | 'Dances with Wolves', Part 1
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Fort Hays. The Fort Hays of the film is supposed to be situated on the prairie which would likely make this the Fort Hays located in Kansas. Dunbar finds the place full of activity as the conquering of the American West is still under progress.
| What is the name of the egomaniacal and rather disgusting Army Major who provides Lieutenant Dunbar with his orders? | 'Dances with Wolves', Part 1
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Major Fambrough. Fambrough is an odd sort, to say the least. He refers to Dunbar as 'Sir Knight', and speaks in an extremely condescending manner. Later, he announces that he has 'wet himself'. Just as Dunbar sets off on his horse, he hears a gunshot ringing out in the background. Fambrough has taken his own life.
| Dunbar is assigned to the 'furthermost outpost of the realm', under the command of a certain Captain Cargill. What is the name of this tiny Army outpost in the lone prairie? | 'Dances with Wolves', Part 1
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Fort Sedgwick. Another historic place. Fort Sedgwick was located in what is now eastern Colorado. It's alternate name, adopted by Union troops, was 'Fort Hell'. Fort Sedgwick was meant to serve as a guardpost along the transcontinental railroad, a place for only the bravest of 'Indian fighters'. It's original name was Camp Rankin.
| What is the name of the 'peasant', equipped with a mule cart, that will lead Lt. Dunbar to his post out on the prairie? | 'Dances with Wolves', Part 1
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Timmons. Fambrough calls Timmons a 'peasant'...perhaps he's right about that one! Timmons is truly an individual of little manners, though his love of his mules is quite endearing. Timmons appears to love raw bacon, doesn't understand the concept of a 'trash can', and cannot control his problems with flatulence.
| What ill-omen does Dunbar see along the way across the prairie that reminds him of the presence of potentially unfriendly natives? | 'Dances with Wolves', Part 1
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A broken wagon. Along with the broken down wagon, Dunbar discovers a human skeleton and the arrow that felled the former owner of the bones. From this point on, Dunbar understands that he must be vigilant at all times in case he might encounter unfriendly Indians.
| The first evening at Fort Sedgwick is a lonely and anxious experience for Lt. Dunbar. He spends it writing in his diary and concocting a plan to clean the fort. The following morning he is spooked by a noise he hears outside, but it's just his horse. How does he admonish Cisco? | 'Dances With Wolves', Part 2
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Bad horse! Bad horse!. I must say, though a huge fan of the film, this is one of the least well-delivered lines in movie history. I always get a chuckle at the dry way in which Costner scolds the horse, as if he's just phoning it in. Costner's acting has never been extraordinary, but in this picture, aside from this moment, it's better than average.
| During the first morning, Dunbar assigns himself clean-up duty. He finds the fort startlingly unkept, with debris strewn about the entire place. In the small pond near the fort, what discarded item gives him a shock? | 'Dances With Wolves', Part 2
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A deer carcass. Dunbar goes on to discover a number of deer carcasses in the pond (in the extended version...in the theater version we only see the one carcass). He cannot understand why the dead deer are in the pond, nor can he understand why the men of the fort have been dwelling in mud caves. He burns the deer carcasses, creating a huge plume of smoke.
| Dunbar's former travelling companion, Timmons, on his return to Fort Hays, encounters several unfriendly Pawnee Indians. The leader of this small band of Indians is played by a quite recognizable actor, having appeared in films such as 'The Last of the Mohicans' and 'Mystery Men'. What is this actor's name? | 'Dances With Wolves', Part 2
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Wes Studi. Wes Studi, a Vietnam veteran of Cherokee Indian descent, has appeared in several other memorable films, such as 'Heat', 'Geronimo: An American Legend' and 'The Doors' (as the Indian Jim Morrison meets in the desert). In 'The Last of the Mohicans', Studi plays Magua, while in 'Mystery Men' he is the superhero called The Sphinx. In 'Dances with Wolves' he is not given a name; he is just listed as 'Toughest Pawnee'.
| Back at Fort Sedgwick, Lt. Dunbar continues to straighten out the surrounding area. On his way back to his dwelling, he espies a lone wolf, which he seems intent on shooting. He decides, however, to spare the life of the canine with whom he soon develops a bond. What does he decide to call his greyish-brown lupine friend? | 'Dances With Wolves', Part 2
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Two Socks. If I may be so bold as to suggest, the name he selects is quite like what I would expect from a Native American. Perhaps the message here is that Dunbar has a predilection towards Native Americans that preceeds even his first direct encounter with their culture. Two Socks becomes a close friend to Dunbar, even taking meat directly from his hand after some gentle coaxing.
| Dunbar has been a month at Fort Sedgwick before his first encounter with an Indian. What had the lieutenant been doing just prior to his first visual contact with an Indian who appears to be stealing his horse? | 'Dances With Wolves', Part 2
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Bathing. Dunbar had been washing his clothing and taking a bath in the pond. Returning to his cabin, he notices a single Indian apparently helping himself to Cisco. The lieutenant very purposefully shouts 'You there', while swiftly approaching the horse corral fully nude. Whether it be out of shock at the appearance of Dunbar, or fear of the sight of a nude Costner, the Indian runs to his horse and rides off in a flurry.
| This first Indian encounter is with a noble-looking middle-aged fellow played by actor Graham Greene. What is the name of the character portrayed by Greene in 'Dances with Wolves'? | 'Dances With Wolves', Part 2
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Kicking Bird. Graham Greene is a very recognizable actor, especially for those of us who enjoy films about Native Americans and their culture. He has appeared in such films as 'Thunderheart', 'North', 'Maverick' and 'Skins' (which I highly recommend). The native Canadian actor, and member of the Oneida Indian tribe, was nominated for a Supporting Actor Oscar after his work in 'Dances with Wolves', but did not take home the prize.
| After this first significant encounter with an Indian, Dunbar responds in a very cautious manner. He buries his excess ordnance in the nearby prairie, and hides the additional supplies he has brought. What item does he use to mark the spot where he buried his rifles and ammunition? | 'Dances With Wolves', Part 2
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A bone. This becomes very significant later in the film when Dunbar returns to the fort with the young man Smiles a Lot, looking for the rifles. In the pouring rain, his young companion locates the bone, and they are able to return the rifles to the Sioux encampment where the Pawnees come to make war.
| Dumbar is not the only one alarmed by this first contact. Back at the Sioux village, a tribal meeting is called to discuss the matter. Various leaders of the tribe speak their mind on the topic, including a strong, young warrior who suggests that Dunbar be killed. What is this brash fellow's name? | 'Dances With Wolves', Part 2
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Wind In His Hair. While Kicking Bird suggests a diplomatic approach, Wind In His Hair, played by actor Rodney Grant, recommends that several warriors go to Fort Sedgwick and fill Dunbar with arrows. The tribal leader, Ten Bears, decides that further deliberation is necessary before a decision is made on how to approach this delicate matter.
| In Dunbar's struggle to help the resistant Stands With a Fist, he notices that she is not Indian, but rather Caucasian. What English word does she surprise him with while attempting to release herself from Dunbar's grip? | 'Dances With Wolves', Part 3
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Don't!. Stands With a Fist has slit her wrist in what appears to be a suicide attempt. She is mourning the recent loss of her husband, a warrior killed in battle with nearby Utes (the scene where she discovers her husband's death is added in the extended version.) Dunbar is able to get Stands With a Fist to release her knife, and in the struggle she says 'Don't!', much to his surprise.
| When Dunbar enters the area occupied by the Sioux tribe, he is first noticed by a woman with two small children. The startled woman screams out a word repeatedly that indicates a white man has arrived...What is this word? | 'Dances With Wolves', Part 3
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Wasichu. Apparently, the word 'wasichu' breaks down into the Sioux words for 'fat' and 'thief', the rather unflattering name chosen for a people (Caucasians) with whom relations were obviously very troubled.
| It is decided during another tribal council that Dunbar will be greeted in an amicable manner. Does the chief, Ten Bears, accompany the party that ventures to Fort Sedgwick to make this first friendly contact? | 'Dances With Wolves', Part 3
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No. Ten Bears selects Kicking Bird and Wind In his Hair to be the tribal representatives in this first diplomatic contact. It seems that the wizened old chief likes the idea of the opposite extremes that this selection presents.
| During this first diplomatic visit, Dunbar is able to learn his first Sioux word, 'tatanka'. What does this word mean in the Lakota language? | 'Dances With Wolves', Part 3
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Buffalo . After a brief bout of play acting, during which Wind In His Hair comments that Dunbar's 'mind is gone', he is able to elicit the word 'tatanka' from Kicking Bird. In turn, Dunbar teaches Kicking Bird that the English word for 'tatanka' is buffalo. Both men are much pleased with their linguistic accomplishment!
| Stands With a Fist is reminded of her childhood and her birth family after Kicking Bird's request. What was her given name at birth? | 'Dances With Wolves', Part 3
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Christine. Stands With a Fist has vague memories of her childhood with her frontier family. Her flashback involves a confrontation with some Pawnee warriors and her parents. The Pawnees apparently kill young Christine's entire family, leaving her to run off to the prairie. We are left to assume that she is discovered and adopted by the Sioux. Incidentally, the child who plays Christine is none other than Annie Costner, Kevin's daughter. Thank you for playing this quiz, please try the other installments of this series if you enjoyed this one!
| Lieutenant Dunbar is given a buffalo hide by Kicking Bird and Wind In His Hair, a gift for which he is very appreciative. He is also invited once again to visit the Sioux encampment. Dunbar is surprised to discover that a member of the tribe speaks English, the young Caucasian woman that he had earlier saved. What are the first words spoken by this woman, called 'Stands With a Fist'? | 'Dances with Wolves', Part 4
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Hello, you here good.. Stands With a Fist struggles with her first English words; she hasn't spoken the language in over twenty years, after all. She is able to speak at a rudimentary level with Dunbar, stuttering her words but pronouncing them well. Mary McDonnell does a wonderful job in her role as Stands With a Fist, I must say.
| Dunbar acknowledges that having an interpreter is a breakthrough in relations with 'these wild people of the Plains', but he still hasn't received the trust of the entire community. What event makes the Lieutenant a 'celebrity' in the village? | 'Dances with Wolves', Part 4
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He announces that the buffalo have come. In his cabin at Ft. Sedgwick, Dunbar suddenly feels the ground shaking. He immediately ascertains that this earthquake is occurring thanks to a massive buffalo herd passing nearby. He feels obliged to immediately inform his new friends while they are engaged in a ceremony. Screaming madly that the buffalo (tatanka) have arrived, he is accosted by several Sioux warriors in full face paint. After being roughed up a bit, Kicking Bird elicits Dunbar's message and the entire crowd erupts in a celebratory ruckus.
| Dunbar joins the tribe on a genuine buffalo hunt. Before they encounter the main herd, the Lieutenant, along with the Sioux tribe members, witnesses a field of carcasses left behind by some fur traders. According to Dunbar, along with the hides, what is the only other body part taken by the fur traders? | 'Dances with Wolves', Part 4
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Tongues. 'Who would do such a thing?' asks Dunbar. He answers, 'The field was proof enough that it was a people without value and without soul; with no regard for Sioux rights. The wagon tracks leading away left little doubt, and my heart sank as I knew it could only be white hunters.' Dunbar later suggests that the buffalo were 'killed only for their tongues and the price of their hides.'
| Later, the main buffalo herd is located by a group of Sioux warriors and Lieutenant Dunbar is invited to come along to view this massive herd. What device does Dunbar produce that fascinates his friend Kicking Bird? | 'Dances with Wolves', Part 4
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Telescope. After taking a peek through the telescope, Kicking Bird has to move it away, checking the distance between himself and the buffalo herd. Dunbar then allows him to continue viewing the buffalo through the telescope, much to his friend's delight.
Yes. Indeed they do, and a good thing too. Dunbar takes down no fewer than four buffalo with his gun during the hunt, including one shown charging at the youthful Smiles a Lot. Incidentally, according to the trivia section of 'Dances with Wolves' at IMDB.com regarding that charging scene...apparently the buffalo was charging at a plate of Oreo Cookies, its favorite meal!
| Following the buffalo hunt, the tribe celebrates with a feast. Dunbar notices during the festivities that a member of the tribe is wearing an item from his wardrobe that he had previously lost. What item of Dunbar's clothing has this man claimed as his own? | 'Dances with Wolves', Part 4
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Hat. Dunbar trades his jacket with Wind In His Hair, who provides the Lieutenant with a ceremonial item of chestwear. This 'good trade' signifies that they have become good friends. The Lieutenant apparently does not feel the same closeness to the gentleman who has claimed his hat, and insists that it be returned to him. Eventually, through Wind In His Hair's moderation, Dunbar accepts another trade, this time for a knife.
| Dunbar feels that he has become very close with his Sioux tribal neighbors, but there are still some limitations in the relationship between the Lieutenant and his new friends. The Lieutenant wants to prove his loyalty to the Sioux by joining their war party against the Pawnee. Does Kicking Bird allow Dunbar to join the war party that will ride against the Pawnee enemy? | 'Dances with Wolves', Part 4
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No. Kicking Bird insists that only Sioux warriors may fight in battle against the enemy. Further, Kicking Bird feels concerned about the women and children that will be left behind and he requests that Dunbar remain behind to watch over his family, to which Dunbar finally acquiesces. In this exchange, Dunbar first learns that he is being called 'Dances With Wolves' among the tribe members.
Dances with Wolves. This will be Dunbar's Lakota Sioux name throughout the rest of the film. He attains his name when Kicking Bird and Wind In His Hair witness the Lieutenant frolicking on the plain with Two Socks (the wolf).
| "I'll bet someone back east is going, 'Now why don't he write?'" (Hint: In the events leading up to this scene, Lieutenant John Dunbar and __________ are on a wagon going to Fort Sedgwick.)
| Quotes from "Dances With Wolves"
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Timmons (Robert Pastorelli). In the events leading up to this scene, U.S. Civil War veteran Lieutenant John Dunbar (Kevin Costner) has requested that he be stationed at a western U.S. outpost, to see the west before it's gone. He gets assigned to remote Fort Sedgwick (which turns out to be unoccupied), and gets a ride there with trader Timmons (Robert Pastorelli). Timmons' crude and obnoxious behavior takes the edge off Dunbar's enjoyment of his experience as they travel farther west. As he writes in his journal, "If it wasn't for my companion, I believe I'd be having the time of my life." In this scene Dunbar finds an old skeleton on the prairie and Timmons comments with this quote.
Wind In His Hair (Rodney Grant). In this scene Wind In His Hair has positioned himself on a high cliff, seen by Dances With Wolves and Stands With A Fist as they ride out of the Sioux winter camp. Wind In His Hair didn't like Dances With Wolves when they had first met, but gradually grew to consider him a good friend and shouts this to him as he leaves. Viggo Mortensen was originally cast to play John Dunbar. He is perhaps best known to many movie buffs for playing Aragorn in all three "Lord of the Rings" movies.
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